One reason I advocate the “Hope; Peace; Love: Joy” order for Advent is this simple equation: “H+P+L=Joy.”
I honestly feel that, once we remember to invite the hope and promise that is Jesus into our all celebrations, to live into Christ’s peace-beyond-understanding as a core spiritual practice, and to incorporate the Jesus quality of love-beyond-reason into every breath we take… then JOY is going to be more than a footnote, it’s going to be the absolute best word to describe the way that our faith shines!
- Invite the hope and promise that is Jesus into all our celebrations;
- Live into Christ’s peace-beyond-understanding as a core spiritual practice;
- Incorporate the Jesus quality of love-beyond-reason into every breath we take;
- then JOY is going to be more than a footnote, it’s going to be the absolute best word to describe the way that our faith shines!
So I’m heading into church this morning with my Advent journey still very much propelling me toward Christmas.
However, rather than only an expectation for the future coming of the King, I know that Jesus is already with me, both beside me and in front of me; not only to welcome me, but to show me the way.
In HOPE, with PEACE, because of LOVE, and filled with JOY – DEREK